Theological Themes in Hebrews
Revised by Mary Hinkle Shore, 10/23
Atonement
Atonement is the restoration of a relationship with God that has been broken by sin. According to the Old Testament, atonement was made when the high priestThe high priest was the most powerful priest in the temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Caiaphas held the office during the trial of Jesus. Later, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, the role of merciful high priest is ascribed to the resurrected Jesus. offered the blood of a bull and goat on the Day of AtonementA Day of Atonement is a ritual occasion of prayer and confession during which a community recalls its disobedience and wrongdoing. Among Christians such an occasion is known as a Day of Penitence. Among Jews Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement; its origins in… (Leviticus 16:1-34). Hebrews says that now JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity. the high priestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple. has made atonement once for all by his sacrificial death and exaltation to heaven, where he intercedes on behalf of sinners (2:17-18; 4:14-5:10; 9:1-10:18).
Confession
Hebrews exhorts readers to hold fast to their confession of faith in Jesus, who is their hope for life now and in the future (3:1; 4:14; 10:23). A confession is a statement of faith that is shared by a community. By calling upon readers to hold on to the confession, the author also builds community, directing them to the faith that binds them to God and to each other.
Faith
For the author of Hebrews, faith has two dimensions: first, it means trust in the promises of God; second, it means faithfulness to God. Together, these two dimensions show what it means to live in authentic relationship to God.
New covenantBecause Israel had broken the old covenant, the prophet Jeremiah declared that God would establish a new covenant, one that would be written on the heart. The New Testament is often referred to as the New Covenant because Jesus came to fulfill the law and…
In JeremiahProphet who condemned Judah’s infidelity to God, warned of Babylonian conquest, and promised a new covenant. 31:31-34, God promises to make a new covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God’s people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. with people. Unlike the previous covenant, which people broke, the new covenant puts God’s law into people’s hearts and minds, promising that God will show mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God’s mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. toward sinners. Hebrews announces that Jesus inaugurates the new covenant by sacrificing himself and being raised to God’s right hand (Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:14-18).
Perfection
When speaking of “perfection,” the author of Hebrews does not imply that Christians must live a perfect life. Rather, the term points to the “completion” of God’s purposes. Jesus was made perfect by moving through suffering to glory at God’s right hand (2:10). Those who follow him move toward perfection by persevering in faith, knowing that they can be confident that God will bring promises of salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. to their full completion (10:14; 12:23).
Priesthood
Hebrews is unique among New Testament writings in its portrayal of Jesus as high priest. As a priest, Jesus makes a sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus’ death on the cross as the… of atonement for sin, shows compassion toward the weak, and intercedes for people with God (2:17-18; 4:14-5:10; 7:25). Jesus has some similarities to priests such as AaronMoses’ brother and spokesman, and Israel’s first high priest. and MelchizedekThe priest-king of Salem encountered by Abraham., but Jesus is unique in that he alone serves forever through the power of his resurrection.
Promises
The promises of God express a commitment to bless God’s people. God promised AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations. a homeland and many descendants, but Abraham did not live to see the full realization of these promises (6:13-20; 11:8-16). The blessings that God promised to Abraham and his descendants–including the followers of Jesus–will be completely fulfilled in the heavenly Jerusalem, the homeland where the vast company of the redeemed celebrates in God’s presence (4:1; 12:22-24).
Sacrifice
The sacrifices prescribed by the Old Testament involved the slaying of an animal and the offering of the animal’s blood to God. Hebrews compares Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his subsequent ascension into heaven as the two parts of this sacrificial process. Hebrews also argues that Jesus’ sacrifice is superior because it was his own self-sacrifice and it was done once for all time, instead of repeatedly, as was the case with animal sacrifices (4:14-5:10; 9:1-10:18).
Wandering
Hebrews compares the Christian community to the generation that traveled through the wilderness on the way to the promised land (3:6-4:11). Christians are also like Abraham and SarahAbraham’s wife and mother of Isaac., who lived in the promised land as if they were foreigners or temporary residents (11:8-16). Christians have received the promise of salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet live by faith in a world where they are not entirely at home, confident that God has a future for them in God’s heavenly city (13:14).
Word of God
People know God because God has communicated through Israel’s prophets and again through the Son (1:1-4). Just as God’s creative word brought the world into being (11:3), God’s word of promise brings faith into being. The word is like a sword that penetrates the depths of human life and confronts people with the reality of divine judgment (4:12-13), yet the word also draws people forward in hope for the complete realization of God’s saving purposes.